The Delta State Police Command has rescued a 48-year-old woman kidnapped in Oghara and arrested 54 suspected cultists in separate operations across the state.
The command also recovered a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge, suspected cannabis and other items during the operations.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel E. Erale.
Edafe said the kidnapped woman was rescued on Wednesday, September 23, following a distress call concerning her abduction.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer, Oghara Division, led operatives of the division, the Quick Response Squad, vigilantes and hunters into Ovade Forest in continuation of efforts to locate and rescue the victim.
He said the team encountered about four suspected kidnappers who engaged the operatives in a gun duel but later retreated, abandoning the woman, who was rescued unhurt.
Edafe said the operatives pursued the fleeing suspects, adding that one unidentified suspect was found lifeless, while another suspect, identified as Abubakhar Sani, was apprehended with gunshot injuries. Both suspects were later confirmed dead at the hospital.
A dagger, NIN slip, OPay Verve card, Tecno mobile phone and other personal effects were recovered during the operation, the police said.
The rescued woman is reportedly stable and undergoing debriefing, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fleeing suspects.
In another operation, the police arrested 50 suspected cultists in Eku and Obiaruku.
According to the statement, operatives of the Abraka Division, supported by personnel of the State Intelligence Department and local vigilantes, stormed a suspected cult initiation gathering in Eku on September 19 following credible intelligence.
The operation led to the arrest of 30 suspects, comprising 29 males and one female. Preliminary investigation, the police said, indicated that the gathering was allegedly connected with the initiation of new members into the Black Axe Confraternity.
The suspects were subsequently transferred to the Command Anti-Cult Unit, Sector 2, Ozoro, for further investigation.
The police said information obtained during the investigation led CACU operatives to Obiaruku on September 20, where 20 additional suspects—15 males and five females—were arrested over suspected cult-related activities.
Investigation is ongoing to establish the individual involvement of the suspects.
Similarly, four suspected cultists were arrested in Ubulu-Uku on September 20 in connection with a suspected cult-related killing.
The suspects, identified as Okwudili Ozah, 34; Chekwube Onwuka, 18; Onyebe Emmanuel, 19; and Ozoremenem Izuchukwu, 21, were handed over to operatives of CACU, Asaba, for further investigation.
The police said the suspects were suspected members of the Supreme Vikings and Eiye confraternities.
One locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge and a quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis were recovered during the operation.
The victim of the suspected killing was taken to a medical facility, where he was confirmed dead, while his remains were deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.
The police said investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and the individual roles of the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Samuel E. Erale, commended the police operatives and other security stakeholders involved in the operations.
Erale reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes, warning criminal elements to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the command would continue to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.